rockmom

Not sure, because when we looked at it for the first time, it was showing as $43.99 which I knew was a great deal, so we grabbed one. I have seen severals posts on other social media sites where people say that when they got onboard, they had an 'apology and onboard credit' because the cooler bag deal was 'out of stock'. So we'll see. I don't drink beer or Truly, but my 21 year old granddaughter likes Truly and also thought the bag would be great to have. She goes to Cal State University in Long Beach--so trips to the beach happen fairly often for her.

I guess I'm extremely skeptical about them offering any sort of discounted 'refill'. If they took away the measly can of soda and cookies from those with Diamond status and now everyone gets a couple of bottles of water, I don't hold out much hope for catching a break on things, lol. And I know, not everyone liked the cookies. But I did like the soda. Their email touting their 'great upgrade--you now will get water to keep you hydrated' was silly. We have purchased the cooler bag that comes with 6 Truly hard seltzers in it for our September sailing--also for $43.99. Since 6 Truly's purchased individually would cost $56 when you add the gratuity, I don't expect any additional deal will be offered beyond that.

Onboard, or did you purchase from the pre-cruise Gifts section?

The port in San Pedro is not a fancy port. I have sailed from there 4 times and always had the early boarding time and/or The Key. You line up outside on the sidewalk until the have cleared the ship, then they start letting you into the building--again, not fancy. The berth that Royal uses has more of a tent-like building (in the photo it's at the top to the right between the cruise ship and the battleship) Once in, you are directed to the check in counter, then up an escalator (or elevator) at the far end in order to board the ship. (I've been on as early as 10:20). While I know there are some sections of chairs, I've never seen anyone in them as the process has always been quick. If there were any snacks or drinks, I never saw them, nor a 'suite lounge'. As far as disembarking, they ask everyone to be out of their rooms by 8 am, and off the ship no later that 9:30. Most of the building is taken up by the areas where they pile up the luggage and the customs and exit doors to get back out to the sidewalk are on the other end of the building--closest to the battleship. Hope that makes sense.

The bag with beers (or water, soda, Truly) are from the 'gifts and gear' section. Not like getting a bucket of beer. I highly doubt they are offering a discount on anything to refill your 'gift bag'.

You'd still get the 2 points per night since you were originally booked in a room that was giving you two points per night.

I think the OP meant do they go 'on sale' as in cheaper than what is currently shown.

A lot of people will start watching port schedules well in advance of cruiselines releasing itineraries. That is what you are seeing here. Some port schedules (which means a cruise line has reserved port time for that date at that port) start to appear. Nothing on these are guaranteed, but it gives a good indication as to what ships are likely to be in certain areas and when.

I thought those were Sky Junior Suites?

Your sailing is showing as sold out in all categories except interior. Busy month.

You can try via the app when you get onboard. If that doesn't work, then you can go early and get in the standby line. Oasis Class has opened up reservations well before sailing since prior to Covid. I think then they even opened up somwhere between 90 and 100 days out. Now they seem to be creeping toward 60 days out. Using the website Cruise Planner is a better option to use before the cruise, same goes for anything else on the Cruise Planner. The app has lots of 'holes'. It was meant to be used onboard and while it's getting better, I seem to always find way more info and options by using the website.

Did you get an email when you booked and did the deposit come out of your account? The sailing is still showing in cruisemapper--with stops in all the various ports. The shorter sailings around it are nearly old out, so the 7 day one is probably sold out as well. Did you book this through your TA? If so, they are the ones that would have sent you the documentation. Royal won't help you if you booked through a TA, you have to work through that person/company.

The only option is to send things out to be pressed. There's usually a piece of paper in your room the first day offering a 'deal' if you send things out then. There are no laundry or ironing facilities for guest use. And per the prior comment, no irons or steamers can be brought onboard. Many of us cruisers bring a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release spray, hang things in the bathroom and run the hot water in the shower, etc. Or we just wear things that are a little bit wrinkled.

Another thing to be aware of is that many/most hotels charge a pretty hefty fee for receiving items and holding them for your arrival. I'm a corporate event planner and am very familiar with shipping things to hotels rather than trying to get them on a plane--both in the U.S. and internationally. As someone else mentioned, there can be delays, taxes, duty, tariffs as well.

It pretty much disappeared once all the ships were updated with Starlink

I get that. But it was a photo of the menu that I uploaded from my computer, not a link.

Nope, you're not missing anything. I don't always get it, there are certain criteria I use to see if it makes sense or not. Number one factor being price compared to the wifi and a 'specialty lunch'. Throw in at least one tender port, and I'll bite. But if there are more than 2 people in a room, it rarely pencils out to be a good deal, since everyone, including children over 6, must buy it. At that point buying a wifi package for 3 or 4 devices is the better deal. You are correct about which ships as well, and how much of the 'attractions' you'll use like the rock wall, flowrider and so on. For my upcoming Navigator sailing, I'm cruising with my granddaugher who is a junior at Cal State Long Beach. She'll have to do some assignments and upload them, I'll have to log into work daily, therefore we both want wifi. We have a tender port. I got a deal last Black Friday, so it made sense. Oh, and she'll definitely use the flowrider and rock wall benefit.

Only Seattle

I've used it many times. I've got it booked for my next three cruises this year. I'm curious about the change from a Chops menu to the 'Key Signature menu' that is supposed to be made up of 'Favorites'. Especially when my travel partner for the September sailing has some restrictions. That Chops menu worked for her, but we don't know what will be on this new one.

Thank you for posting. I posted one as well, about an hour ago, but it is saying it needs admin approval. I'm not sure why, but it's the same menu as this one.

No self service. No irons for guests. Embrace the wrinkles.

Yes, it always has had the filet, a burger and a few other things. Most of the usual sides and a couple of desserts. We really have enjoyed it.

We have had the Key multiple times and yes, the lunch is in MDR, but the menu was a modified Chops lunch menu. Never been a 'fast lane' for things, you'd get a piece of paper that showed you the special hour set aside for each thing like rock wall, zip line, etc. Looks like that will still be the case for the Flowrider, but there will be a fast lane instead for the other things.

I did a search and didn't see this posted anywhere. I had seen several people asking on various forums, roll calls etc, about the 'fast lane' or the 20% off specialty restaurants with The Key. It appears that the benefits have changed, and those two things are on there, but there isn't a 'Chops lunch' listed, instead it's a Key Signature menu, but without saying what that might include. We do have the Key booked for an upcoming sailing in September because of tender ports, the need for wifi and the fact that we love the Chops filet for lunch. The filet is perfect for the family member who has celiac disease, so I hope something along those lines is still available. But I have a feeling it might be a downgrade like so many things when it comes to food and dining menus lately.